Azithromycin for ocular toxoplasmosis.

Abstract

AIMS:

To investigate the efficacy of azithromycin in patients with ocular toxoplasmosis.

METHODS:

11 immunocompetent patients with ocular toxoplasmosis were treated with azithromycin (500 mg the first day, followed by 250 mg/day for 5 weeks). Ocular and systemic examinations were performed during active retinitis episodes and all patients were followed for at least 1 year.

RESULTS:

The intraocular inflammation disappeared within 4 weeks in seven patients, including two cases with progressive retinitis despite previous treatment with pyrimethamine, sulphadiazine, and folinic acid. Recurrence of retinitis occurred in three patients (27%) within the first year of follow up. No systemic side effects of azithromycin were encountered.

CONCLUSION:

These results indicate that although azithromycin cannot prevent recurrent disease it may be an effective alternative for patients with ocular toxoplasmosis who cannot tolerate standard therapies.

• Authors: A Rothova, L E Bosch-Driessen, N H van Loon, W F Treffers
• Journal: The British journal of ophthalmology (Br J Ophthalmol) Vol. 82 Issue 11 Pg. 1306-8 (Nov 1998) ISSN: 0007-1161 [Print] England
• PMID: 9924338 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Anti-Bacterial Agents
• Azithromycin

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Anti-Bacterial Agents (therapeutic use)
• Azithromycin (therapeutic use)
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Recurrence
• Retinitis (drug therapy, parasitology)
• Toxoplasmosis, Ocular (drug therapy)
• Treatment Failure
• Uveitis, Anterior (drug therapy, parasitology)